Australia’s Jessica Fox marked her return to the International Canoe Federation Canoe Slalom World Championships by winning women’s kayak cross individual gold in Oklahoma City, United States.
After missing the chance to compete at a home World Championships in Sydney due to kidney surgery last year, Fox returned to the big stage with a superb performance on the opening day of competition.
Click here for the live start lists and results from Oklahoma City
Great Britain’s Joseph Clarke also showcased his resilience as he brushed off an injury to capture the men’s kayak cross individual crown.
The World Championships is taking place at the venue that will stage the Canoe Slalom competition during the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028.
With the Olympic ranking points also on offer this week, it added to the tension as paddlers battled for podium slots.
There were just 0.12 seconds separating the top three in the women’s kayak cross individual with Fox emerging victorious.
The three-time Olympic champion clocked a winning time of 51.05, edging Czechia’s Katerina Bekova by a mere 0.03.
Great Britain’s Lois Leaver also tasted medal success as she finished in 51.17, just 0.12 behind Fox.
“I am really happy to be on the podium and really pleased to put down a good run out there,” said Fox.
“When I crossed the finish line, I didn’t know whether it would be enough to win so to get on the podium is amazing.
“My start was okay, the first upstream gate probably wasn’t the fastest but I came into the roll really quickly.
“I was quite nervous about the roll as that is a technically challenging part of the course, but I managed to finish strong.
“I am happy with this and looking forward to the rest of the week.”
There was a familiar looking podium in the men’s kayak cross individual.
Last year, it was Spain’s David Llorente who emerged victorious, with Clarke coming second and Czechia’s Jakub Krejci bagging bronze.
This year, it was the same paddlers taking medals but in a different order with Clarke coming out on top in 46.54.
Krejci helped himself to silver in 46.70 with Llorente earning bronze in 46.98.
After his victory, Clarke revealed that he had sustained an injury just two days before starting his World Championships campaign.
“In the last couple of days, I have been a bit rough,” said Clarke.
“I pulled my neck but I had to park that and get the job done.
“I did exactly that today so it almost feels sweeter.
“It is a lot better than it was two days ago. It is not 100 per cent but we are probably 80 per cent there.
“It is always in the back of the mind but I taped it up so it has allowed me to do what I needed to do.”
Clarke is now setting his sights on winning a fifth successive title in the kayak cross head-to-head format on Saturday.
“That is the dream,” added Clarke.
“People saying it is a formality. We will see.
“’m going to take it one round at a time.
“All the guys are fast so we need to create that game plan to suit me and try to get out and do my thing.”
Men’s Kayak Cross Individual
1. CLARKE Joseph (GBR) 46.54
2. KREJCI Jakub (CZE) +0.16
3. LLORENTE David (ESP) +0.44
Women’s Kayak Cross Individual
1. FOX Jessica (AUS) 51.05
2. BEKOVA Katerina (CZE) +0.03
3. LEAVER Lois (GBR) +0.12
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